First-rate

Wooden sailing ships in the British navy were classified into several categories:

• First-rate - carrying 100 or more guns
• Second-rate - 90 to 100 guns
• Third-rate - 80-84 guns
• Fourth-rate - 60-74 guns
• Fifth-rate - 32-40 guns
• Sixth-rate - less than 32 guns

Ships were also classified by the number of masts, decks, and the style of rigging.

First"-rate` (?), a.

Of the highest excellence; preeminent in quality, size, or estimation.

Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the German. M. Arnold.

Hermocrates . . . a man of first-rate ability. Jowett (Thucyd).

© Webster 1913.

First"-rate`, n. Naut.

A war vessel of the highest grade or the most powerful class.

© Webster 1913.